Combined bar and cooler



July 9, 1963 w. L. PlEscHr-:L 3,097,028

COMBINED BAR AND COOLER l INVENTOR. `24 WALTER L PJESCHEL www A TTORNEY S July 9, 1963 w. L. PlEscHEL 3,097,028

COMBINED BAR AND COOLER Original Filed May 9, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WALTER LPIESCHEL 106 ZM W ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,097,028 COMBINED BAR AND COOLER Walter L. Peschel, Ludlow, Ky., assignor to The Coca- Cola Bottling Works Company, Cincinnati, Ollio, a corporation of Ohio Original application May 9, 1958, Ser. No. 734,297, now Patent No. 3,013,850, dated Dec. 19, 1961. Divided and this application July 10, 1961, Ser. No. 123,013

2 Claims. (Cl. 312-277) This invention relates to the construction of bars and coolers lfor dispensing refrigerated beverages, or the like. This is a division of my co-pending applica-tion Serial No. 734,297 filed May 9, 1958, now Patent No. 3,013,850.

An object of this invention is to provide a combined bar and cooler which can be readily transported in knocked-down or folded condition and which can be quickly and easily `assembled and disassembled.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bar which can be readily mounted on and supported by a portable cooler.

A further object of this invention is to provide a combined bar and cooler in which legs for supporting the bar extend into sockets at ends of ta cooler receptacle in which sockets demountable -legs are received so that the same sockets in the cooler receptacle receive both demountable cooler legs and legs which support the bar.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bar of this type which can be mounted `on coolers of various sizes.

The above and other objects and features of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, from the following detailed description, and the drawings, in which:

FIG. ll is a view in front elevation showing a combined bar and cooler constructed in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan View of the combined bar and cooler illustrated in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is la view in rear elevation of the combined bar and cooler, parts of the cooler and of a front curtain being broken away for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a View in section taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3, the curtain being removed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective showing a leg member which forms a part of the combined bar and cooler;

FIG. 6 is :a View in section taken on line 6-6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary View of a pontion of the bar removed from the cooler, `one :of lthe leg members of the bar being shown in folded condition;

FIG. 8 is a view in section taken along the line 8 8 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a view in rear elevation showing a combined bar and cooler constructed in accordance with another embodiment yof this invention, upper leg members being shown in folded position in dot-dash lines;

FIG. 10 is a plan vie-w showing the bar, a portion of the main section yof the bar being broken away to reveal structural details;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary bottom plan view of the bar showing a portion of the underside of the bar and a leg-supporting socket which forms a portion thereof;

FIG.12 is a view in section taken along the line 12-12 in FIG. 1l;

FIG. 13 is a view in section taken along the line 13-13 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a view in section taken along the line 14-14 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a View in side elevation showing an upper leg member which forms a part of the `device shown in FIGS. 9-14 inclusive, removed therefrom.; -and FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view showing the bar illustrated Iin FIGS. 9-14 inclusive mounted upon another cooler.

In the following detailed description, and the drawings, like reference characters indicate like parts.

In FIGS. 1-7 inclusive is shown a combined bar and cooler constructed in yaccordance with an embodiment of this invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 3 inclusive, the combined bar and cooler includes a cooler receptacle 20, lower leg members 21 and 22 which suppont the cooler, a bar 23 which is supported above the cooler, and leg members 24 and 26 which extend downwardly from the bar 23 to the cooler receptacle 20 and support the bar 23 above the receptacle.

The receptacle 20 and the leg members 21 and 22 which support the cooler are of the type generally shown in Patent No. 2,767,948. The receptacle 20 is an opentopped box having an inner wall 27, an outer wall 28, and insulation 29 therebetween. The interior of the cooler can be filled with lice, and bottles or cans of beverages (not shown) can be cooled therein. A drain 31 is provided for discharging water therefrom.

A-t the ends of the receptacle are mounted upright sleeves 32 and 33. As shown in FIG. 6, the sleeve 32 includes flanges 34 and 35 which receive screws 36 for attaching the sleeve 32 to -an end portion 37 of the outer wall of the receptacle. A iin 38 divides the sleeve 32 into two sections. The construction of the sleeve 33 is similar to that `of the sleeve 32, and the sleeve 33 is mounted on end portion 39 of the outer wall of the receptacle.

The lower portion of the sleeve (FIGS. 3 and 4) receives the upper end portion of the fle-mountable leg member 21. The leg member 21 is formed from `a length of tubing bent generally to an inverted T-shape. 'Ihe cross piece 41 of the leg member 21 is adapted to rest lon the ground with upright end portions 42 and 43 in `side-by-side relationship and upper sections thereof releas-ably received inside the lower portion of the sleeve 32, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. One flange 44 of an angle-shaped support member 45 (see FIG. 3) is attached to upright end portions 42 and 43 by rivets 46. The other flange 47 of the angleashaped member 44 is adapted to underlie the body of the receptacle adjacent the left hand end thereof, as shown in FIG. 3, for supporting the left hand end of the receptacle. The lower portion of the sleeve 33, in a similar manner, receives the upper end portion `of the leg member 22, which is similar in construction to the leg member already described. An angle-shaped member 48 attached to the leg member 22 has a flange 49 which underlies the bottom of the receptacle adjacent the right hand end thereof for supporting the right hand end of the receptacle.

The leg members 24 and 26 which support the bar 23, are similar in construction to the leg member 21. As

shown in FIG. 5, the leg member 24 is of generally T- shape and includes a cross piece 50 and lower end portions 50a and 50h. One flange 51 of an angle-shaped support member 52 is attached to the end portions 50a and 501) by rivets 52a. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cross piece 50 underlies the bar 23, and the bar rests on the cross piece 50. The end portions 50a and 50h of the leg member 24 are adapted to be releasably received in the upper portion of the sleeve 32 as shown in FIG. 4. A second flange 53 of the angle-shaped support member 52 (see FIG. 3) is adapted to rest on the upper edge of one end wall of .the cooler body to support one end of the lbar at an elevated position spaced above the cooler. In a similar manner, a flange 54 of an angle-'shaped member 55 attached to the leg member 26 is'adapted to rest upon the opposite end wall of the cooler for cooperating with the lirst mentioned leg member in supporting the bar in horizontal position.

The cross piece 50 of the leg member 24- is rotatably mounted inside 'a socket 56 which is attached to the underside of the bar 23. As shown in FIG. 8, the socket 56 includes -a U-shaped main portion 56a inside which the cross piece 50 is received. Flanges 57 and 58 at the sides of U-shaped main portion 56 are attached to the underside of the bar 23 by screws 59. 'l'lhe leg member 26 is similar in construction to the leg member 24 already described and is rotatably supported in a socket 6l which is attached to the underside of the bar 23 adjacent to the opposite end thereof. When the leg member 26 is the upright position shown in FIG. 3, the lower portion thereof is received in the upper portion of the sleeve 33.

When the bar is removed from the receptacle, the leg members 24 and 26 can be swung ltoward the bar to a folded position adjacent the underside of the bar. The folded position of the leg member 26 is shown in FIG. 7. The other leg member can be swung upwardly in a similar manner. When the leg members are in folded position, the bar 23 and leg members 24 and 26 mounted 'thereon can readily be stored or carried in a small space. When the leg members 24 and 26' are swung downwardly to the position shown in FIG. 3, the lower portions thereof are firmly held in the sleeves 32 and 33 to rmly hold the bar 23 in elevated position. 'Ilhe bar 23 includes a main panel or portion which is generally rectangular in shape. As shown in FIG. 3, llanges 62, 63, and 64 are attached to edges of the underside of the main portion of the bar. Hooks 66 are mounted on the flanges 62, 63, and 64 for supporting a llexible sheet screen or curtain 67 (FIGS. 1 and 3). The curtain 67 is provided with grommets 68 along its upper edge which t over the lhooks 66. The `curtain 67 hangs downwardly from the bar to enclose and hide the receptacle and leg members, as shown most clearly in FIG. 1.

In FIGS. 9-14 inclusive is show-n a combined bar and cooler unit which includes a bar 69. Leg members 71 and 72 are adapted to support the bar in spaced relation above a receptacle 73 (FIG. 9). The receptacle 73 is supported by leg members 74, only one of which is shown. The receptacle 73 and the leg members 74, which suppont the receptacle 73, are of a construction similar to those already described.

The bar 69 includes `a main Hat-faced board portion 75 and flanges 76, 77, and 78 extending downwardly at edges thereof. Hooks 79 mounted in the anges 76, 77 `and 78 support a removable curtain 80.

Z-shaped tracks 81, 82, 83 and 84 are attached to the underside of the main portion 75 of the bar (see FIG. The construction of the track 81 is best shown in FIG. 13. One flange 86 thereof is attached to the underside yof the main portion 75 of the bar. 'Ilhe other flange 87 of the track 81 extends cantilever-fashion parallel to the underside of the main portion of the bar spaced therebelow. An elongated slot 88 (see FIG. l1) extends lengthwise of the ange 87. The other tracks are similar in construction to the track 81.

A bearing member 89 spans the tracks 81 and 82 (see FIG. 10). The bearing member 89 includes rigid strips 90 and 91 (FIGS. 11 and 12). End portions 92 'and 93 of the strips 90 and 91, respectively, slide along and are guided by the track 81 immediately above the cantilever flange 87 thereof. Similarly, the opposite end portions 94 and 96 (see FIG. 10) of the strips 90 and 91, respectively, slide along and are guided by the track 82. As shown most clearly in FIGS. 12 and 13, bolts 97 are mounted in the end portions of the strips and extend through the elongated slots of the tracks. Wing nuts 98 mounted on the bolts 97 serve to lock the rigid strips 90 and 91 of the bearing member 89 in selected positions 'along the bar 69.

The strips 90 and 91 are linked by U-shaped bearing sleeves 101 (see FIGS. 12 to 14) and 102 (FIG. 14). The bearing sleeves v101 and i102 receive across piece 103 of the leg member 71. As lshown in FIG. `15, the leg member 7-1 is generally of T-shape and includes the cross piece '103 and downwardly extending legs 104i and 106 which are firmly Iattached to the cross piece 103i. The cross piece 103 and the legs 104 and l106 can be formed of pipe .sections welded together. One flange 107 of an angle-shaped support 10S is att-ached to the legs l104 and 106 by rivets 109, `as `shown in FIG. 9. The other flange 1'10 of the support y108 is adapted to rest on the left hand end wall of the receptacle 73 to support the left hand end of the bar 69, with the legs 104 and 106 received in the upper portion `of tan upright sleeve 111 which is mounted on the left hand end wall of the receptacle 73. A bearing member 112, which is similar in construction to the bearing member already described, kspans the tracks 83 and 8f4 and receives a cross piece 1=13 of the @leg member 72. One flange 114 of an angle-shaped ysupport 116 mounted on the leg member 72 is adapted to rest on the top of the right hand end wall of the receptacle 73 to support the right hand end of the lbar 69. The leg member 72 is simil-ar in construction to the leg member 71 already described.

When the bar is in :set-up position supported above the receptacle 73, the bar rests ldirectly on the cross pieces of the leg members 711 and 72 and is supported thereby in horizontal position. When the b-ar is removed .from the receptacle, the upper leg members can be swung to the positions indicated at 71a vand 72a in dot-dash lines in F-IG. 9.

When the wing nuts 98 (FIGS. 1=1-13) are loosened, the bearing members can be moved along the bar to any selected position along the tracks for mounting the bar on receptacles of various sizes. In FIG. 16, the bar 69 is shown mounted on a receptacle 117 which is shorter than the receptacle already described, but is otherwise similar in construction. The bearing member 89 and leg member 711 are shown in FIG. y16 in adjusted position so that the legs thereof can be received in a sleeve 118 mounted on one end wall of the receptacle 117. Only one end portion of the receptacle y117 is shown in FIG. l16, but the other end portion is similar in construction.

The combined bar and cooler constructions described above and shown in the Ydrawings are subject to structural modification without ydeparting from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, -and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. `In combination with `an open-topped receptacle having la bottom and spaced end Wall members, an upright open-ended sleeve mounted 0n each of the end Walls, a pair of lower leg members, each of said lower leg members comprising a base, an upper arm releasably received in one of said sleeves, and means for engaging lthe bottom of the receptacle to `support the receptacle, a pair of upper leg members, each of said upper leg members having a lower leg releasably received in one of the sleeves, and table means supported by said upper leg members.

2. A combined bar and cooler Iwhich comprises an opentopped receptacle having a bottom and spaced end wall members, an upright open-ended sleeve mounted on each 5 6 of the end walls, a pair of lower ieg members, each of said References Cited in the le of this patent lower leg members comprising a base, an upper arm UNITED STATES PATENTS reileasably received in one of said sleeves, and means for l engaging the bottom of the receptacle to support the rel eglrgt'gl' g ceptacle, a `bar overlying the receptacle, and 'a pair of 5 1957153 Smiley May 1 1934 spaced upper leg members pivotally mounted on the un- 2901120 Abrahagn'sgn'': "Aug 25 1959 derside of the bar, each of the said upper leg members having a lower =1eg releasably received in one of the sleeves FOREIGN PATENTS to support the bar spaced above the receptacle. 444,924 France Aug. 21, 1912 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH AN OPEN-TOPPED RECEPTACLE HAVING A BOTTOM AND SPACED END WALL MEMBERS, AN UPRIGHT OPEN-ENDED SLEEVE MOUNTED ON EACH OF THE END WALLS, A PAIR OF LOWER LEG MEMBERS, EACH OF SAID LOWER LEG MEMBERS COMPRISING A BASE, AN UPPER ARM RELEASABLY RECEIVED IN ONE OF SAID SLEEVES, AND MEANS FOR ENGAGING THE BOTTOM OF THE RECEPTACLE TO SUPPORT THE RECEPTACLE, A PAIR OF UPPER LEG MEMBES, EACH OF SAID UPPER LEG MEMBER HAVING A LOWER LEG RELEASABLY RECEIVED IN ONE OF THE SLEEVES, AND TABLE MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID UPPER LEG MEMBERS. 